Bali locals threaten to tear down Trump Hotel if it defies local building laws

By Kristen Amiet| 2 years ago

The temple at Tanah Lot. Image: AFP

Construction of a new Trump International Hotel is set to get underway in Bali, despite months of protests from locals. But it could be just the start of the new projects woes: Those very same locals have threatened to "demolish" the hotel if it defies the island's construction laws.

In Bali, legend has it that the gods will be angered by any structures built to be taller than a coconut palm. And while MNC, the development company in charge of the project, said it would abide by local laws, they're still calling it a "tower", giving local authorities cause for concern.

"If suddenly they build an unapproved tower, of course we will stop them and demolish it," Ida Bagus Wiratmaja, head of the Tanah Lot district development and planning agency, told the Associated Press.

The hotel – the Trump Organisation's first in Asia – is set to be built alongside the sacred Hindu temple at Tanah Lot, which attracts thousands of visitors on a daily basis. Locals say they're on-board with investment in the area, but insist it can't come at the cost of their traditions, of which the temple is an integral part.

"There are special rules for the temple and temple area," Wiratmaja said.

"Whatever they build should not deviate from our Hindu culture because it is the soul of the Indonesian culture," religious leader Made Rumawa added.

"As a priest, I insist they coply with the rules because they have been set out so clearly. So, whatever comes, whatever their intention, do not be blind and walk in the darkness."

Trump's resort is set to replace an existing complex owned by his Indonesian business partner, Hary Tonoesoedibjo. Construction of the new Trump Hotel is anticipated to cost upwards of $395 million (US $300 million) and will be overseen by Tonoesoedibjo.

But, given its proximity to the temple and plans to replace an existing golf course with a new, larger one, MNC is reportedly struggling to make everything fit. As a result, local villagers say MNC made offers to buy privately owned farmland surrounding the lot as early as 2015, but the vast majority declined to sell.